Kids may enjoy these activities that go beyond the beach

Wednesday

May 17, 2017 at 2:51 PMMay 17, 2017 at 2:51 PM

Cape Fear Museum: This history and science museum includes exhibits on the Cape Fear region’s past as well as hands-on displays about its environment, among many other wonderful things to see and do. Not only will the kids love scrambling inside a model of a beaver’s lodge, but they also learn what city-scavenging animals, creatures they definitely don’t want to pet, look like when they lift the lids of three trash cans in an exhibit in the Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery. The giant skeleton near the front desk and ticket-purchasing area is not a dinosaur – it is a scale model of the giant sloth skeleton found in the area. But those are just three of the many sights that will interest children and their parents. The museum’s hours through Labor Day are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $8 adults; $7 seniors, college students and the military; $5 for youth ages 6-17; free for museum members and children 5 or younger. 814 Market St., Wilmington; 910-798-4370; www.CapeFearMuseum.com

Cape Fear Serpentarium: Have a Harry Potter moment with the Burmese Python curled up inside its enclosure at the Cape Fear Serpentarium. A 10,000-square-foot structure, the serpentarium features 54 displays with more than 40 venomous species of snakes, five large bays featuring giant constrictors and three interior habitats housing three species of crocodiles, according to the facility’s website. Other displays showcase several large and exotic species of lizards. Admission is $9; children 2 and younger get in free. 20 Orange St., Wilmington; 910-762-1669; www.capefearserpentarium.com

Carolina Beach Boardwalk: What doesn’t this landmark attraction have? An amusement park that includes a Ferris wheel, carousel and other rides, is open through Labor Day (Sept. 4). Tickets are $1.50 each, and rides cost two to three tickets each, according to the park’s Facebook page. An unlimited rides pass is $20. Visitors can also watch live entertainment at the gazebo at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. every Thursday night. 100 Cape Fear Blvd., www.pleasureislandnc.org.

Poplar Grove Plantation: Take a tour of the plantation house and grounds, with special exhibit on the African-American experience. (Every half-hour). Youngsters should particularly like the animal sanctuary, with rescued horses and farm animals. Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays. Tour prices: $12 adults, $10 seniors and military, $6 students ages 6-15. Tickets to see the stables and farm animals are $5. 10200 U.S. 17 N., Scotts Hill; 910-686-9518; www.poplargrove.org